Decorative sticker for sports shoes

ABSTRACT

A decorative sticker for sports shoes that includes a toe appliqué and a heel appliqué. The toe appliqué includes a semi-circular, rounded tip having a plurality of slits perpendicular to the rounded tip and tapered portions at both corners of the rounded tip. The heel appliqué has a rectangular shape. The toe appliqué and the heel appliqué each include a first surface having a decorative design and a second surface having an adhesive material. The adhesive material is protected by a removable cover layer. The removable cover layer is removed and the adhesive is exposed just prior to affixing the toe appliqué to the rubber toe portion of a sports shoe and the heel appliqué to the rubber heel portion of the sports shoe.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to decorative stickers for sports shoes, and more particularly to decorative stickers for the toe and rear portion of sneakers, such as Converse Chuck Taylor sneakers, for example.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Footwear has evolved beyond function and purpose and has become a fashion statement. Footwear companies have designed and marketed shoes that light up in varying colors, shoes that have interchangeable charms, and shoes that have designs printed on the shoe, stitched into the shoe, or applied to the shoe. Designs that can be applied to the outer surface of the shoe are well known in the art. Men and women that want to make a statement or want their footwear to stand out can simply apply a new design onto the shoes they already own, instead of having to purchase a brand new pair of shoes. Decorative design appliqués must fit smoothly on and along the curves of the surfaces of the shoe. Flat design appliqués wrinkle or bunch up when applied to the curved surface of a shoe.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,577,828 discloses a light illuminating assembly for wearing apparel that includes a soft, flexible panel member having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a peripheral edge surface. The flexible panel member is sufficiently flexible to conform to the curvature of the mounting surface by hand pressure alone and is substantially comprised of transparent or translucent material. The flexible panel member is in communication with the peripheral edge surface and forms a cavity which receives a light emitting element. The lower surface of the panel member causes a decorative pattern of refractive grooves dimensioned and arranged to reflect light propagating through the panel member in a plane disposed between its upper and lower surfaces. The light illuminating assembly of the '828 patent includes an electrical source and multiple parts. Although the light illuminating assembly of the '828 patent conforms to the curvature of a mounting surface, the assembly would be bulky, due to the electrical source and light emitting element, and would not lie flush with the mounting surface.

U.S. patent publication 2006/0101673 discloses a fabric design panel for wearing apparel that includes various shaped panel configurations conforming to the shape of designated areas and surfaces on wearing apparel. In one embodiment, the design panels are adhesively and permanently attached to the selected area or surface on walking and gym shoes. Although the fabric design panel of patent publication '673 conforms to the shape of the shoe surface, the panel is fabric and is not removable nor interchangeable.

U.S. patent publication 2009/0100714 discloses an athletic footwear accessory system with interchangeable adhesive articles to place on the exterior surface of a shoe. The interchangeable articles include a contour to match a contour of the exterior surface of the shoe and the article remains in place during normal use of the shoe, until the user removes the article and replaces the article by another interchangeable article. The athletic footwear accessory system includes adhesive material on both the exterior surface of the shoe and on the interchangeable article to enable the articles to be affixed and later removed from the surface of the shoe. Although the accessory system of patent publication '714 is removable and interchangeable, the accessory system does not disclose an interchangeable article that includes adhesive material solely on the interchangeable article itself. Additionally, patent publication '714 does not disclose articles that are specifically shaped to fit the toe portion and rectangular back section of sneakers with such qualities and does not disclose articles that contain three strategically placed cuts to ensure the proper fit and conformity to the exterior surface of the toe portion of the sneakers.

U.S. patent publication 2010/0107446 discloses a shoe accessory that includes a decorative covering and a peel-off layer. The decorative covering may include a first surface with an adhesive for affixing the decorative covering with a portion of a shoe. The decorative covering may also include a second surface with a decoration. The peel-off layer is bound with the adhesive on the first surface and peeling off the peel-off layer exposes the adhesive. The shoe accessory of patent publication '446 is provided in a variety of shapes and decorations that can adorn any part of any type of shoe and once applied to the shoe, the accessory is permanently affixed to the shoe and cannot be removed. The shoe accessory of patent publication '446 does not disclose a shoe accessory that is shaped specifically for the toe portions and rectangular back section of sneakers with such qualities and does not disclose a shoe accessory that contains three strategically placed cuts to ensure the proper fit and conformity to the exterior surface of the toe portion of the sneaker.

The prior art to date does not disclose a unique design appliqué that is removable and interchangeable, that is shaped specifically for the toe portions and rectangular back section of sneakers, and that contains three strategically placed cuts to ensure the proper fit and conformity to the exterior surface of the toe portion of the sneaker. None of the prior art can be combined in a way to suggest these necessary modifications. There is no teaching, suggestion, or motivation that would have enabled a person of ordinary skill in the art to modify any prior art shoe decoration to allow for appliqués that are shaped specifically for the toe portions and rectangular back section and that contain three strategically placed cuts to ensure proper fit and conformity to the exterior surface of the sneaker.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a unique removable and interchangeable design appliqué for sneakers.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a unique design appliqué that is shaped specifically for the rubber toe portions and rectangular back section of the sneaker.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a unique design appliqué that contains three strategically placed cuts to ensure proper fit and conformity to the exterior surface of the sneaker.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The decorative stickers of the present invention include a toe appliqué and a heel appliqué to be applied to the rubber toe portion and the rubber heel portion of a user's sneakers. The decorative stickers can be formed from any pliable material, as in one illustrated embodiment where the decorative stickers are formed from vinyl, such as matte white vinyl. The toe appliqué and the heel appliqué each have a first surface and a second surface. The first surface includes a decorative design and the second surface includes an adhesive material, allowing the toe appliqué and heel appliqué to be applied to the rubber toe portion and rubber heal portion of the sneaker. A removable layer covers the adhesive material on the second surface until the appliqué is ready to be applied to the shoe.

The decorative design, in an embodiment, is printed on the first surface in an ultra-violet (UV) resistant ink. The toe appliqué is adapted to be applied to the toe portion of a shoe and is trimmed to a shape that mirrors the curve, corners, and outline of the front, rubber toe portion of the sneaker. The toe appliqué also includes three strategically placed slits to ensure that the toe appliqué lays flush and flat with the underlying front, rubber, toe portion surface of the sneaker. The toe appliqué also includes tapered portions to ensure that the toe appliqué fits the corners of the toe portion of the sneaker. The heel appliqué is rectangular in shape and the adhesive material on the second surface allows the heel appliqué to be adhered to the rubber heel portion of the sneaker. The decorative designs of the toe appliqués and heel appliqués are preferably the same.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following figures are included to better illustrate the embodiments of the devices and techniques of the present invention. In these figures, like numerals represent like features in the several views. It is to be noted that these figures, illustrating the several views of the present invention, unless stated to be otherwise, are not necessarily drawn to scale. Nor are the contents of the drawings to be considered as limiting the scope of the present invention as defined in the claims.

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an illustrated embodiment of the decorative sticker of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of an illustrated embodiment of the decorative sticker of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the toe appliqué of FIG. 1, taken along line 3-3. A cross-sectional view of the heel appliqué of FIG. 2 is similar to FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the front or toe portions of a pair of sports shoes, with two decorative toe appliqués applied on the toe portion of the shoes.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the rear or heel portions of a pair of sports shoes, with two decorative heel appliqués applied to the heel portion of the shoes, where the design of the heel appliqué is the same as the design on the toe portion appliqués of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a kit for the sale of one pair of toe appliqués and one pair of heel appliqués of an illustrated embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

The illustrated embodiment of the present invention, shown in FIGS. 1-5, provides a pair of decorative stickers including a toe appliqué 12 and a heel appliqué 20 (FIG. 2) to be applied to the rubber toe portion 13 and the rubber heel portion 15 of a user's sneakers (FIGS. 4, 5). The decorative stickers 12, 20 can be formed from any pliable material, as in one illustrated embodiment where the decorative stickers 12, 20 are formed from vinyl, such as matte white vinyl.

As seen in FIG. 3, the toe appliqué 12 and the heel appliqué 20 each have a first upper surface 22 and a second surface 24 opposite the first upper surface 22. The first upper surface 22 includes a decorative design and the second surface 24 includes an adhesive material 26, allowing the toe appliqué 12 and the heel appliqué 20 to be applied to the rubber toe portion 13 and the rubber heel portion 15 of the sneaker. The decorative design is printed or otherwise applied on the first upper surface 22 of the toe appliqué 12 and the heel appliqué 20 in an ultra-violet (UV) resistant ink in the illustrated embodiment, and is preferably the same design on both the toe appliqué 12 and the heel appliqué 20. A removable layer 28 covers the adhesive material on the second surface 24 until the user removes the removable layer 28 when the appliqué is ready to be applied to the sneaker.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, the toe appliqué 12 is adapted to be applied to the rubber toe portion 13 of a sneaker, and is trimmed to a shape that mirrors the curves, corners, and outline of the rubber toe portion of the sneaker. The toe appliqué 12 has a semi-circular, rounded portion 14 that aligns with the front of the rubber toe portion. Tapered portions 16 are provided on the toe appliqué 12 to fit adjacent the corners 17 of the rubber toe portion 13 of the sneaker. The toe appliqué 12 also includes at least three strategically placed slits 18 to ensure that the toe appliqué 12 lays flush and flat with the underlying front, rubber, toe portion surface of the sneaker. When properly applied to the toe portion 13 of the sneaker, the appliqué material bordering the slits 18 lies flush with material on the opposite side of the slit, such that the slit is not visible or imperceptible, as seen in FIG. 4.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 5, the heel appliqué 20 is rectangular in shape and the adhesive material 26 on the second surface 24 (FIG. 3) allows the heel appliqué to be adhered to the rubber heel portion of the sneaker once the user removes the removable layer covering the adhesive material. In the illustrated embodiment, the decorative designs on surface 22 of the heel appliqué 20 and the toe appliqué 12 are the same, providing a coordinated visual appearance.

Use of the decorative stickers described above is simple, fun, and straightforward, and allows the user to create a fashion statement and express their individuality. First, the user chooses a toe appliqué 12 and heel appliqué 20 set in a decorative design of their liking. The user then removes the removable layer 28 covering the second surface 24 of the toe appliqué 12 and the heel appliqué 20 to expose the adhesive material 26. Once the adhesive material 26 is exposed, the user simply aligns the toe appliqué 12 and the heel appliqué 20 with the rubber toe portion 13 and the rubber heel portion 15 of their sneakers, and firmly presses the decorative stickers 12, 20 onto the exterior surface of the rubber toe portion 13 and the rubber heel portion 15 of their sneakers. The slits 18 in the toe appliqué 12 allow the toe portion appliqué 12 to fit flush on the surface of the toe portion 13 of the sneaker, without bulges or bubbles in the material of the appliqué, as the user applies light finger pressure over the surface 22 of the appliqué. When the user wants to replace the decorative stickers 12, 20 with new designs, the user simply peels off the previously affixed decorative stickers, and repeats the above application method with a new set of decorative stickers.

One of the objects of the present invention is that the decorative toe appliqués 12 and heel appliqués 20 be sold jointly in a kit. As viewed in FIG. 6, a pair of toe appliqués 12 and a pair of heel appliqués 20 are hand removably and peelably attached by a light adhesive (not shown) or other means known in the art, to the face of a cardboard or paperboard display package 30. The display package 30 may include a slot 32 for supporting the package 30 on a prong of a pegboard merchandise rack in a retail store. In the illustrated embodiment, the kit comprises two toe and two heel appliqués of the same decorative designs. Other kits may comprise more than two of each appliqué, and/or appliqués of various designs in a single package 30. The package 30 may also include the manufacturer's logo, and instructions on how to properly apply each decorative sticker to the user's sports shoes. The package 30 may include a hard or soft plastic transparent envelope or surface layer to protect the decorative stickers up to the point of retail sale.

Also, if desired, the decorative designs on each of the toe and heel appliqués may comprise the logos of the user's favorite sports teams or entertainment stars.

The foregoing description of illustrated embodiments of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. The description was selected to best explain the principles of the invention and practical application of these principles to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention not be limited by the specification, but be defined by the claims set forth below. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A decorative sticker for a sports shoe, comprising: a. a toe appliqué, said toe appliqué comprising a semi-circular, rounded tip having a plurality of slits perpendicular to the rounded tip and tapered portions at both corners of the rounded tip and said toe appliqué having a first toe surface and a second toe surface wherein said first toe surface includes a first decorative design and said second toe surface includes a first adhesive material; and b. a heel appliqué, said heel appliqué comprising a rectangular shape and having a first heel surface and a second heel surface wherein said first heel surface includes a second decorative design and said second heel surface includes a second adhesive material.
 2. The decorative sticker of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first adhesive material and the second adhesive material is protected by a removable cover layer.
 3. The decorative sticker of claim 1, wherein the first decorative design is the same as the second decorative design.
 4. The decorative sticker of claim 1, wherein the toe appliqué and the heel appliqué are formed from a pliable material.
 5. The decorative sticker of claim 4, wherein the pliable material is one of vinyl and matte white vinyl.
 6. The decorative sticker of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first decorative design and the second decorative design is printed in an ultra-violet resistant ink.
 7. A kit for the display and sale of decorative stickers for application to the toe and heel portions of a sports shoe, the kit comprising: a. a package comprising a card; b. a pair of decorative toe and a pair of decorative heel appliqués removably attached to said card, said toe appliqués and heel appliqués adapted to be removably adhered to toe portions and heel portions, respectively, of said sports shoe; and c. said toe and heel appliqués having a decorative design applied to an upper surface of each of said appliqués. 